What ASTON - École Informatique does

ASTON - École Informatique is a French private IT and digital vocational training institute constituted as a SARL (RCS Nanterre 498 685 494) that was formed in 2013 via the merger of two legacy IT training brands. The company delivers programs across three sites — Levallois-Perret (headquarters), Arcueil, and Lille (the latter historically branded "ASTON by SQLI") — and serves three core customer segments: post-baccalaureate students seeking IT diplomas, mid-career professionals seeking IT reskilling, and French enterprises that co-fund or host apprentices on long-term training contracts. ASTON delivers RNCP-recognized long-form degrees from Bac+2 through Bac+5 (covering development, cybersecurity, cloud, networks, and digital transformation), a catalog of 680+ continuing education short courses spanning ISO 27001/27005/22301, EBIOS, and emerging topics such as Azure OpenAI and ChatGPT, and a Product Builder No Code / Low Code certification launching in June 2026.

The business model is built on three French training-finance channels: professional training fees paid directly by enterprises or via OPCO intermediaries (including ATLAS OPCO's 100%-funded Actions Collectives), apprenticeship contracts funded through the French apprenticeship tax, and CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation) drawdowns by individual learners. ASTON reports a 90% graduate employment rate within six months and supports placement through employer apprenticeship hosts across multiple industries (vehicle rental, medical biology, outdoor recreation, IT services). Technology infrastructure is conventional: a WordPress CMS, an in-house E-Campus distance-learning platform, and SmartRecruiters for applicant tracking and apprenticeship placement. The Qualiopi certification, audited by Bureau Veritas, is the critical regulatory asset that unlocks access to French public training funds and constitutes the central gating mechanism for the entire revenue model.

Name

ASTON - École Informatique

Legal name

ASTON Institut

Website

https://aston-institut.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ASTON is a French private IT and digital vocational training institute (SARL) operating three campuses, delivering Bac+2 to Bac+5 diplomas, 680+ continuing-education courses, and apprenticeship placements to students, career changers, and enterprises, funded via CPF, OPCO, and employer channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

IT Vocational Training

NAICS

Computer Training (61142), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Information Technology (IT) & Cybersecurity Certifications (EDAAANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cloud, DevOps & Software Engineering Certifications (EDAAANAH), Information Technology & Cybersecurity Certification Prep (CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, ISC2/ISACA) (EDANAIAF), Project, Process & Quality Certification Prep (PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL) (EDANAIAE), Quality, Process Improvement & Lean/Six Sigma Certifications (EDAAANAC)

Keywords

• IT vocational training
• Cybersecurity certification courses
• Apprenticeship programs
• Continuing professional education
• Cloud computing training

Headquarters

HQ city

Levallois-Perret

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Fees: Revenue from continuing professional training programs funded through OPCO (skill operators), FNE-Formation, and direct company payments
2. Apprenticeship Programs: Dual education programs combining school-based training with company apprenticeships, funded through apprenticeship tax contributions and OPCO support
3. CPF-Funded Training: Individual training accounts financing for employees and job seekers seeking career transitions in IT

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ASTON is a French IT and digital vocational training institute that delivers degree programs (Bac+2 to Bac+5) through work-study apprenticeships and a catalog of 680+ continuing education courses covering cybersecurity, cloud computing, software development, networks, digital transformation, and emerging roles like Product Builder No Code/Low Code. Programs are delivered at campuses in Lille (Euratechnologies) and Arcueil, or remotely via the E-Campus platform, and lead to RNCP-recognized diplomas and professional certifications.

Product overview

ASTON is an IT and digital vocational training institution offering a portfolio of educational programs through alternating work-study and continuing education formats. The core offerings consist of long-form degree programs (Cursus diplôme) spanning Bac+2 to Bac+5 levels in IT specializations, supported by a catalog of over 680 continuing education courses. The E-Campus platform provides distance learning access to training content. The recently launched Product Builder No Code / Low Code certification program addresses the emerging need for rapid digital solution development using visual programming platforms. Programs are delivered through work-study contracts (alternance) combining enterprise placement with campus instruction, and cover domains including cybersecurity, cloud computing, systems administration, software development, and digital transformation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Formation Diplômante (Degree Programs) Long-term RNCP-recognized degree programs (Bac+2 to Bac+5) covering IT and digital fields, delivered through work-study (alternance) arrangements combining academic instruction with professional company placement. Includes 9 diploma tracks covering systems, networks, cybersecurity, development, and digital transformation.
• Formation Continue (Continuing Education) Catalog of 680+ short professional training courses covering IT topics including cybersecurity, cloud computing, development, networks, management, office productivity, and digital transformation. Delivered to individuals and corporate employees seeking skills upgrading or certifications.
• E-Campus Online distance learning platform enabling remote access to ASTON training content and continuing education programs from any location, including 40+ cybersecurity courses available 100% online.
• Product Builder No Code / Low Code Certification Training program and certification for the emerging Product Builder role, teaching No Code/Low Code platform usage, digital solution prototyping, process automation, AI integration, and digital tool connectivity. Targets individuals seeking rapid digital solution development skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of students are hired within 6 months of graduation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Bureau Veritas CertificationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBureau Veritas Certification conducts the Qualiopi certification audit for ASTON, verifying training quality standards across all ASTON sites.
• ATLAS (OPCO Atlas)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorASTON is a privileged partner of ATLAS, offering 100% funded training actions in cloud computing, cybersecurity, programming, and databases for member companies.
• SQLI GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASTON is positioned as 'ASTON by SQLI' in Lille, leveraging the SQLI Group's expertise in digital services and IT training.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Le Wagon: International coding bootcamp with French roots, focused on web development and data science short programs. Comparable to ASTON on career-changer audience and CPF-funded bootcamp offerings, but more digital-native.
• OpenClassrooms: French-founded online education platform offering diploma programs (Bac+2 to Bac+5) and apprenticeships funded through CPF and alternance. Comparable to ASTON on degree levels and French public funding model, but as a digital-first operator.
• Wild Code School: French web development and data bootcamp operator with campuses across France. Comparable to ASTON on target learners (career changers) and IT skill focus, though more concentrated in bootcamp/short-format programs.

Direct peers

• IB Formation: French IT training provider with a broad catalog covering development, cloud, cybersecurity, and project management. Closely comparable to ASTON in target customers (individuals, enterprises), funding mix (CPF/OPCO), and multi-campus delivery model.
• ORSYS: French IT and management training specialist offering a large catalog of short courses, certifications, and customized corporate programs. Direct competitor to ASTON's Formation Continue in the French professional IT training market.
• M2i Formation: Major French IT, digital, and management training operator with a national network of centers and large continuing education catalog. Direct competitor for both B2C continuing education and B2B enterprise training contracts.
• CESI: French engineering and IT school with strong alternance (work-study) programs and corporate training offerings. Comparable to ASTON on degree levels, apprenticeship-heavy model, and B2B talent placement.
• ENI École Informatique: French IT school offering both long-form degree programs (Bac+2 to Bac+5) and a large continuing education catalog. Highly comparable to ASTON in degree levels, alternance model, and IT/digital curriculum breadth.

Broad incumbents

• AFPA: France's incumbent national vocational training organization covering many trades including IT. Overlaps with ASTON on IT/digital continuing education and alternance programs, but operates on a much broader vocational scope.

Others

• SQLI Group: French digital services and IT consulting group historically affiliated with ASTON (Lille campus operates as "ASTON by SQLI"). Comparable as both a strategic partner and a potential acquirer/incumbent leveraging training for talent pipeline.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/aston---%C3%A9cole-informatique

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ASTON - École Informatique